Reflections+of+Concepts+of+Educational+Technology5306


 * Reflections of Concepts of Educational Technology 5306**

I had envisioned several different outcomes for this course. The outcomes I envisioned achieving were becoming familiar with the Texas Long Range Plan, my campus’ STaR chart, learning to use a blog, creating a wiki to use with my teammates, and finally implementing all of the latter into my class room. I did achieve most of the outcomes I envisioned. I did become very familiar with the Texas Long Range Plan and the four domains: Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration & Instructional Support, Infrastructure. Along with learning about the Texas Long Range Plan, I learned about my campus’ weakness from the STaR chart was in the domain of Educator Preparation and Leadership. I did set up a blog and a wiki. I did not achieve the goal I envisioned with using the wiki with my teammates. I also did not implement all of the outcomes I envisioned into my class room. The outcomes I achieved are very relevant to the work that I do in schools. Although I may not be the instructional technology specialist on our campus, I felt as though I was stepping up from being a border line digital immigrant to a digital native. Anything I can do to improve my knowledge of the different uses of technology in the class room will increase student achievement as well as teacher performance. I want to teach the 21st century learner. One of the articles I found the most interesting throughout the course was the article, //Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 1// by Marc Prensky. There was a quote by Dr. Bruce Berry of Baylor College of Medicine. He stated, “Different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structures.” If that is true, then to the extent of the outcomes I achieved just in this first class are absolutely relevant to the work I do in schools. One of the outcomes I did not achieve was the use of the wiki with my teammates. What prevented me from achieving this goal was I had a hard time getting my 4th grade teammates to “buy in” to the use of the wiki the way I had intended. Without the team having the same shared goal or vision as I did, using the wiki to collaborate on how to integrate technology into the class room, I was unable to achieve this goal. On the upside, I did however, get my teammates as well as my entire hallway to use the wiki to plan a luncheon. I still plan on continuing to encourage the use of the wiki as I envisioned. Another outcome I did not achieve was implementing the knowledge I gained throughout the class into my class room. This was due to lack of time. What prevented me from achieving this goal was I had a hard time getting my 4th grade teammates to “buy in” to the use of the wiki the way I had intended. Without the team having the same shared goal or vision as I did, using the wiki to collaborate on how to integrate technology into the class room, I was unable to achieve this goal. On the upside, I did however, get my teammates as well as my entire hallway to use the wiki to plan a luncheon. I still plan on continuing to encourage the use of the wiki as I envisioned. I learned so much about myself, my technology and leadership skills, and my attitudes from this course. One thing that resonated with me is that schools, teachers, principals, and districts are all changing very fast. This is the first time in education where we are “inventing the wheel” rather than as you often hear in education “reinventing the wheel.” This is because our students are 21st century learners and are demanding we do so and fast. Before this class I thought about //how// I taught, but now I think more about //how// students learn. My technology and leadership skills are becoming stronger on a daily basis. More colleagues are coming to me with questions about technology rather than waiting for our instructional technology specialist to appear. This gives me the confidence to try new things and learn more about different ways I can further integrate technology in my school. My attitude has changed about the importance of becoming a digital native. I think if I had not begun this degree program, I would eventually be left in the dust.
 * New Information Obtained**
 * Personal Experience Gained**
 * Interactions with Colleagues**
 * Knowledge Gained from Assignment**

There were no puzzling issues.
 * Puzzling Issues

Questions? I am curious as to how often my district refers to the StAR chart? And what changes or goals do they set by referring to it? **